BackgroundThe effects of preservatives of antiglaucoma medications on corneal surface and tear function have been widely shown in literature; it’s not the same as regards the active compounds themselves. The purpose of our study was to compare Ocular Surface Disease OSD signs and symptoms of Tafluprost 0.0015% versus preservative free PF Timolol 0.1% eyedrops in ocular hypertensive OH and in primary open-angle glaucoma POAG patients.

MethodsA cross-sectional study included patients in monotherapy for at least 36 months with Tafluprost 0.0015% 27 or PF Timolol 0.1% 24 and 20 healthy age and sex-matched volunteers. All subjects underwent clinical tests Schirmer I and break-up time, in vivo confocal microscopy IVCM and were surveyed using Ocular Surface Disease Index OSDI and Glaucoma Symptoms Scale GSS questionnaires. The groups were compared with ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis test, t-test, Mann-Whitney test and Bonferroni’s adjustment of p-values.

ConclusionsCompared to PF Timolol 0.1%, Tafluprost 0.0015% showed similar safety with regards to tear function and corneal status and a similar tolerability profile. Both therapy groups show some alterations in corneal microstructure but no side effects on tear function except for an increased tear instability in PF Timolol 0.1% group. Ophtalmologists should be aware that even PF formulations may lead to a mild ocular surface impairment.